The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) announced on Wednesday about the appointment of Peter Dietrich as its chief nuclear officer (CNO).

The position of ENEC CNO includes assessing the idea for the delivery of Units 1 to 4 at Barakah in adherence to the highest standards of nuclear safety and quality, the company mentioned in a statement.

Dietrich has worked at five different commercial nuclear sites through out his career, including three years as chief nuclear officer of a multi-unit energy plant in the US.

The appointment comes just weeks after the UAE’s regulator mentioned Nawah, the company which will run the first nuclear reactor due to start up this year, is not ready to get its operating licence yet.

The UAE is developing four nuclear reactors in what is one of the world’s largest nuclear new build projects and will be the first nuclear reactor in the Gulf, but last year the startup of the first reactor was delayed by a year to 2018 because the operating company was not ready.

Local company Nawah, which is a joint venture between Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) – which is building the four APR-1400 reactors – and ENEC, will control the four reactors.

Dietrich is in-charge of ensuring that Nawah receives full support from ENEC and KEPCO, enabling it to maintain focus on operations and the relevant licensing requirements, a statement stated.

He will also be responsible for a series of leadership programs to support the next generation of Emirati nuclear professionals that will be needed to operate the Barakah Plant over its 60 year lifespan.

The project at Barakah is progressing, with the overall construction completion of the project at more than 87 percent. Unit 4 is more than 66 percent complete, Unit 3 is more than 81 percent, Unit 2 is more than 92 percent, while Unit 1 is presently undergoing commissioning and testing, prior to regulatory review and receipt of the operating licence.